A/N: video up there is for context, but the video ain't mine!
The two wizards appeared in front of an iron gate, Harry could smell the fresh grass and leaves around him as the strong breeze whistled around.
What he didn't know was that the manor was up near the forest covered mountains, but I assure you that Mr. Riddle will explain the details later once they're inside.
With the boy on one arm, he opens the gate and took his time walking to the front door, his thoughts wrapped on how to makeover his home to suit Harry better– A tap was felt on his shoulder.
He turned to see the boy, a little more paler than usual "Do you have a bucket around?" Oh how stupid could he be of course it was his first apparition
He could see that Harry was putting effort on not vomiting on his shoulder, with a flick of his wrist he had accioed the bucket next to the flower beds and handed it to the boy "here you go, just let it out."
Harry didn't need to be told a second time, the bile was out of him in record time, all the man could do was hold the bucket from falling.
"I am so sorry Harry, don't worry the sickness will pass since this is normal for those new to apparition. Would you like some water?" The man fumbled on his thoughts
"Yes please." The boy said with a hoarse voice
The man stepped foot into his own abode as he stroke the young one's locks to calm him from the sickness.
Little Harry could hear the door silently creak to a close, the clicks of shoes on the floorboards and the new smell of polished wood and warm lit candles.
He really didn't know which room he was in right now since the man had yet to tell him, maybe that's because they were still moving. For now all he knew was that he was inside a house and from what his senses were telling him — it was a nice house too.
...
The trip to the kitchen was rather short for the lord but the confident aura of the man's steps seem to make the trip sound like such a long journey through stairs.
A new scent entered Harry's mind that made him turn his head away from the man's chest and look around as if he could see the room with his own eyes, the room felt so vibrant to his senses.
Tom had noticed the little boy's reaction of constant head turning and thought that something had went wrong "Harry, is everything alright?"
The boy tuned to face the owner of the house and responded to his question with a head tilt. 'There wasn't anything wrong, so why would he think so' he thought
Tom was getting nervous since he really didn't know what to say next "Well, you've been turning your head on every direction since we've entered the kitchen, I thought–"
"The kitchen feels nice." He put so bluntly to Tom's face
Caught off guard by the response the water he came for suddenly went back to his mind as if it had just returned from a trip "let's get you some water, sound good?"
"Mhm..." still taken by the room, he really liked this kitchen. It seemed like a very good kitchen
Gently setting Harry down by the wooden chair adjacent to the table, Tom tried his best not to let his wand slip from his hand.
The Dark Lord took a breath in, regaining or at least trying to regain as much confidence as he could 'Harry never wavered back then, so you shouldn't either.'
but what if he doesn't like it here? What if he runs away? If someone tries to find him?! There are too many possibilities! Too many threats!!
Riddle grips the kitchen counter, his magic feeling like fire in his veins and a bile settling in his stomach at every thought. He doesn't like it, no no no nononononono
Harry had a strong urge to run when he felt the suffocating force wrap the room, he couldn't tell what it was directed at but he didn't like it, feels too strong. The boy does his best to not make a noise, because whatever was angry it mustn't be provoked further
Who else was with them in this room— Oh...
'Mr. Tom...' was angry, but at what? at whom? Had he done something wrong? He hasn't done anything. Harry's face was blank yet his thoughts run rampant in his tiny little head
Then he remembered the times when he first met Mr. Tom, he was angry—
Carefully steps down the wooden furniture, using the table as a guide and slowly feeling the cold marble counter top. The pressure was getting stronger, he just had to get closer. Finally he could feel the man's arm—
A tiny calloused hands tenderly wrapped around his left wrist, breaking him from his thoughts
"What's wrong?" The man's eyes were wide as he looked at Harry's frame
Tom would've been fooled by impassive expression on the boy's face, however those trembling hands. Oh dear merlin—
Kneeling to the boy's level, water forgotten. Tom Riddle found his arms holding the boy close 'just like back then in the streets...' sweet little Harry, the boy who'd ran every morning just to feed both of them.
"It was just- just thoughts is all. So much thinking" his head buried in the boy's shoulder, eyes closed for one tired moment
Harry had laid limp in the sudden warmth. The suffocating pressure was gone, it was warm now—like sunlight at the crack of dawn. It was a nice feeling. He couldn't help but hug back. What was this feeling? He didn't know but it was such a pleasant.
Tom felt light as a feather. Comfortable in this awkward position. ... Definitely not hearing the cries of his knees on the hard floor
'You're not that young anymore Tom!' his mind screamed at him, had he been kneeling that long???
It was as if Harry could read his mind "Water please." the boy tugged lightly on his sleeve
"Right! yes- of course." Riddle stood from the floor without letting Harry out of his arms, he'd barely noticed his weight, which worried him to no end—yet he can't help but revel at the thought of having him in his arms for all eternity
...
Harry was well aware that he was unfamiliar with the territory and that its rude to point that in someone's home—Harry may be blind, however he can very well walk. After all exploring the grounds is the only way he could learn the place
"Would you like to rest? The tour could wait till tomorrow if you want-" Mr. Tom's question broke through his train of thought "Not tired, promise" not knowing he'd given Tom a gentle smile in his seemingly blank face
Riddle hadn't known one could feel so much within a moment. Harry was smiling because of him, this was the first time he'd ever seen someone genuinely happy... cause him. Merlin, everything felt so overwhelming right now to the young Lord. He'd smiled back
"I'll let you explore the living room before the library, would you like that Harry?" if you, dear reader were there, you'd see flowers blooming in the air
Harry couldn't see, though he could feel—it was bright, soft, like fluffy feathers—Harry liked it, cause Tom was glowing. Little Harry's calloused hands held Tom's well-toned muscles
If doing all this made Mr. Tom happy then he'd gladly let the man indulge. He heard lots of adults back then being stressed on the job, maybe Mister's job wasn't fun. The least Harry could do was this!
Tom hadn't known why Harry did that, the next thing he knew Little Harry's cheeks were all puffed up. Word could not describe how much he adored the sight "What's the matter Harry?" doing his best not to scare the boy with sudden affection
"You're glowing. I like that." the boy- harry- nodded to himself as he spoke this declaration
"Oh Harry, That's because I'm happy" his voice barely a whisper using two fingers to tuck the boy's hair in his ears
"That's a good thing, right?" Harry's eyes shone with curiosity
"I like to think that it is" Tom slowly treads his way to the window seat beside the fire place, Harry still in his arms "or perhaps it depends on one's perspective."
"What do you think Harry?" red meeting green before the lord glances by the window, turning the lock and pushing it open. Tom could see a colorful bloom next to them 'They've finally bloomed, just in time.'
Harry felt the breeze hit his face. Smell of herbs, grass and flowers hit his nostrils—such a new feeling 'Have I ever felt this before...' he couldn't seem to remember ever having this feeling, it sounds as if the breeze was singing in his ears "Wow..." not noticing that he'd muttered it out loud
"Outside this window is the pathway to the garden." placing a single bloom of camellia on the boy's ear.
Harry had felt something soft hang by his ear "It tickles" his giggles spilled out from his lips
"Camellia looks good on you Harry." Riddle muttered to himself, forgetting that Harry had sensitive hearing
"Thanks, though I can't really see it" there was no malice in his voice as he responded back
'Oh right... he can't see.' the lord's lips became a thin line as his hands caress the boy's cheek
"The flower is a new bloom with bright red petals, Though your eyes are brighter than the flower itself. Glowing like jewels in a cave." slightly scratching Harry's scalp "Your hair, raven black just like late night at winter." Harry's form slumping down Riddle's firm chest, seeming to soak up all the affection
"Absolutely magnificent, owlet."
"If you say so." Harry plays with the flower on his ear
...
The library was big, very big. That's all Harry could say, though he could smell old paper and ink
"If you ever want to read a book then just bring it to me and I'll read to you or we could make a braille version"
Braille! Harry hasn't read with that in a while "Okay." his hand supporting the flower as he did
Tom sat down in his desk, the boy in his lap. The weight of the boy on his lap just felt right, it had only been a few hours and he's already used to it
"So how was the house tour Harry?"
"Its really big but feels cozy. Its *yawns* nice." his hands play with the polish wooden table, he's never felt a table this smooth. so cool to the touch that he just wants to lay there and... take.. a nap
Tom watched as Harry tried his best to resist the temptation of sleep 'is my desk that nice?' he suddenly recalls all those overnighters he'd had to pull, the pain of writing all those bloody plans and the sweet relief of falling asleep in said desk '...well maybe it is that good'
"Okay time for bed owlet." gently lifting his head and leaning it to his chest
"Not... tired,pro'mse..." he could hear a slow rhythm by his ear, beating steadily
Its was only 6pm and they have not yet had dinner, Harry had to fetch some bread and leftovers for him and Tom so the wouldn't go hungry. However his eyes kept closing
It was as if Tom could read his mind and whispered to the boy "Good night, Harry. There'll be breakfast in the morning"
...
Tom gently lay the boy in his bed before going in himself-
"Who is this little boy master hatchling." a voice hissed by the pillow, smooth scales shining in the dim light
"Shh nagini don't wake Harry." circling his arms at the boy's frame and scooting closer
"Is this food?" Nagini slithered towards the two wizards
"Do not EAT Harry, Nagini. He's staying with us now..." his voice muffled by the pillow
"Then he is mate?" curiously eyeing the younger wizard his master was hugging
"Yeah, yeah..." processing his words momentarily before "Wait no! he's not-"
"I see. This mate hatchling barely has meat Tom! Have you fed him."
"He isn't my mate Nagini, please-"
"SHH you will wake your mate!"
All he could do was grumble back, no retort or energy left within him to argue with that bloody snake...
A/N: ummmm- hi, im back and uhhhhhh- so had a bit of a writers block in this fanfic... that was a long hiatus.... *hides back in forest*
---- Without further ado, see you next chapter! ;) ----